A word from HO

[Chris Corrigan]

Beautiful find Raffi!

Chris

On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM, Raffi Aftandelian <raffi at bk.ru> wrote:

> Harrison and all,
>
> One delightful Usual Suspect at the WOSonOS- in a fit of loving reproach,
> perhaps, for me being a bit of a loudmouth at times, said, "The only person
> that Raffi represents is his himself."
>
> Harrison, I must admit I had a hard time listening to what you were saying
> that evening because it sounded like more of the same. : ) It was good to
> see you, however! I'd point people to your "Understanding OS" 5 CD series
> available through the OS online bookstore. A gem!
>
> Another gem is your first book, the photo essay from your time as associate
> director of the Peace Corps in Liberia from '67 to '69, When the devil
> dances. Pub'd some 40 (!) years ago, I read it as part of the (his?)story
> of
> the inspiration for OS.
>
> Especially this passage- which may not have been the intended as such- but
> seems to describe very aptly the energy of an Open Space Technology meeting
> and speaks to the deeper essence of OS:
>
> A very special part
> of any village celebration
> is the appearance of the various "devils."
> The word devil is very misleading,
> and was undoubtedly
> the unwanted gift
> of an early missionary
> The devils are not evil,
> but rather represent
> a respected (albeit feared)
> part of the village.
> Nothing of importance happens
> unless they appear and dance.
> In their appearance,
> all aspects of the village
> are brought together-dance,
> music, government, and religion.
> When the "Devil" dances, life goes on.
>
> ***
>
> In the village,
> all things go in a circle,
> and everything fits.
> To speak of the drums
> is to speak of the dance,
> is to speak of the Devils...
>
> Weaving and Forging
> Fire and Steel- the Bush
> Life, Death and Life again.
>
> __________________
>
> I love this passage because it brings harks to a definition of love you've
> offered: "challenge and acceptance." (the "devils" being a respected and
> feared part of village life- "What is it that seeks to be expressed?") And
> also when reading this piece it recalls that etymologically "conversation"
> means "to dance together."-- Thanks to Alan Stewart for pointing that out.
>
> warmly,
> raffi
>
> *
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-- 
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Facilitation - Training - Process Design
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com

Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.
http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com

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